A TEESSIDE MP will take part in talks on Teesside this week in a bid to mend Corus' contract crisis, which threatens up to 2,000 local jobs.

Today, workers have given a positive but cautious reaction to the news that an Italian steel boss is prepared to re-open talks to save steel production at Corus.

And union bosses say although it’s still early days, the steely resolve of Teessiders is, and always has been, the key to success.

On Saturday, the Evening Gazette revealed Antonio Marcegaglia, who had bid to buy a controlling stake in Corus, had held talks with Redcar MP Vera Baird and told her he was prepared to speak to Corus bosses.

Earlier this month Mr Marcegaglia had led a consortium which walked out on an agreement to take steel from the Corus Teesside Cast Products plant in Redcar, leaving its future, and that of up to 2,000 workers, in doubt.

Ms Baird told the Evening Gazette Mr Marcegaglia was prepared to come back to the UK to discuss the situation with Corus. She added she was hopeful Corus would arrange for him to come across.

The revelation represents a ray of hope to those in the industry.

Derek Loughborough, Lackenby-based multi-union vice chair, said while he’s taking the news at face value, it does represent a significant step in the right direction.

“At the moment it’s early days but even so, I think there’s a good possibility we might get something back on track,” he told the Gazette.

“I know it’s only the first process - but it’s an essential part of the bigger process. None of the parties were listening to each other and it needed face-to-face talks to get things moving.”

He added that Teesside’s steel workers have a history of getting out of tight scrapes thanks to their fighting spirit. I had my branch meeting at Lackenby steel plant and you could tell how much more upbeat everyone was.

“We’ve been in a very similar situation in 2003 where it looked like Corus were setting us adrift. But the people of Teesside proved they never give up. What we need now is everyone on board so we can fight right to the end.”

Bob Bolam, regional officer for trade union Unite, said: “It looks a lot more favourable than it did a week ago. We’ve got a wonderful workforce on Teesside and we welcome any opportunity to get members back around the table.”

And Steve Warren, a steelworker from Staithes, said: “It sounds like one of the first positive signs people who work there have got in the last couple of months.

“If what Vera Baird has said is the case then it’s a step in the right direction. It’s not the end of the road by any means, but it’s a better situation than we were in three weeks ago.”

Alan Callcutt, from Brotton, 55, has worked in the steel industry for 39 years, and says he wants to see all the parties round the table.

The father of two grown-up children, who is a site convener for trade union Unite said: “Until we see all the parties in the same room, we won’t be getting our hopes up too high that we’ll all be safe.”

Alan added he was grateful to Redcar MP Vera Baird for her input and said his colleagues were pleased for assistance “from any quarter”.

Ms Baird told the Gazette that she plans to relay information from Italy to Corus during upcoming talks in a bid to bring the two sides closer together.